Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Since David's big 4 month update is just around the corner and I don't want to bog it down with all the boring stuff about me, I thought I'd just write a separate post. Feel free to skip if if you are upset it's not about cute baby goodness.

Well, I go back to work in pretty much one month. One teeny little month. For a long while I could not wait to go back to work, but now that David is getting to be super fun and I'm falling into a nice little routine, I am dreading it. I can't even think about dropping him off at daycare. I got out all the paperwork to fill out today and I couldn't even do it. Blah. I'll come around. I hope.

I've started applying for new jobs at work. Finishing my resume and whatnot was not what I wanted to be doing last week, but it pretty much took up all my spare minutes. But, it's done now and I think it's pretty dandy and there are a few really nice jobs that I wouldn't mind having at all. Now, lets just hope I get one of them. I mean they have to give me something, but what that might be if I'm not proactive scares me. So yeah. applying for jobs. Yay.

Here's a picture of me.

Sadly, this is not a recent picture. This is me in November, 2009. Ah, the good ol' days. However, I have finally kicked myself in the rear and am back on the "eating right and working out" diet train. I'm pretty excited about it too. I'm trying some new foods (Quinoa? YUM!) and really watching portion control. I'm trying to eat more vegetables not only because they are good for me, but because I'm going to start feeding David all sorts of veggies soon and I think it's only fair I eat as well as he does to set a good example. The only hard part is the snacking. It's hard having my pantry right there, all the time, but I've just got to be strong. Now the working out? That's where I keep getting stuck. The only time I have to work out is at night after David goes to bed. His naps are all over the place right now so trying to sneak one in during the day is a no-go and he wakes up too early to do it in the morning. Sometimes I struggle with being too tired at night to make myself go down and use the treadmill (like tonight...) but I know I just need to get in the routine of doing so and it will get easier. Going to the gym is super tough with Zach's schedule. Basically there's only one day a week that I can go and usually that day we have stuff going on. I miss the gym SO MUCH. Trying to do a home workout that compares to a gym workout is really hard. I'm hoping I figure it out soon... So that picture is my goal. I have my brothers wedding in June (hello strapless bridesmaid dress!) and a bachlorette party at the lake prior to that, so yeah.. I'm on it. Also, I miss my tan. A lot. Sigh.

Emotionally I'm feeling good. I won't lie, I think I struggled with a wee bit of the baby blues early on. Nothing I needed "help" for, but I would just get sudden bouts of anxiety and then get upset and woefull every so often. Luckily, it would generally pass very quickly after a pep talk from Zach and usually only happened in the evening because I just never knew what the night would bring, but I have read that's all very normal. I would say I'm not nearly as worried when it comes to night now so I have really mellowed out. Although check back when sleep training starts...

I have self-diagnosed myself with Quervain's Tendinitis and lord have mercy, it sucks. Basically my tendons in my wrists, attached my thumbs are all kinds of messed up. Apparently this is common after pregnancy. My wrist will completely lock up and I have to actually shake it to "pop" it back in place. It is crazy painful! Generally this happens in the middle of the night when I'm sleeping. Super fun!! I have tried a brace and some Aleve, but it's really hit or miss on if it helps. If it's not better soon I might have to go get some cortisone shots and I really would prefer not to do that. Although the heavier David gets, the more it's hurting.

Zach is doing well. He loves, loves, loves being a Dad and David just loves him right back. All he has to do is walk in the room and that baby smiles like there's no tomorrow. He willingly changes diapers, plays with him, "airplanes" him around the house, makes goofy faces and assists me with all cleaning and bottle washing and thousand other house projects we have to get done. He is still finishing up school and will be done in May!!! Hooray!! Although his work schedule will still be wacky, he'll be able to stay home with David two days a week. That will be so awesome for both of them and our budget!

So how am I enjoying this mom thing? Quite a bit actually!! I still can't believe I have a baby. A baby who is turning into a KID right before my eyes. I haven't felt too overwhelmed with getting everything done, like people tend to go on and on about. I just am careful to make use of every second of my day. It's really made me a much more efficient person (perhaps I should add that to my resume!? ha!) The Mommy stuff is pretty fun actually. I love how much I know him and how I can tell what his cries me and how we just seem to have this awesome little bond. When I step back and think about it it's really overwhelming how much I love him and would do anything for him. He is so cute, and so perfect. I love watching him learn and I love helping him learn even more. He might only be 16 weeks old, but he has turned our lives upside down and everything we do is now for him and we don't mind, not one single bit!

Holy cow. That was long. Please, go have yourself a cookie if you read all that. :-)

Friday, February 10, 2012

That sounds like a really long time and at the same time, no time at all.

I've been doing this for 100 days. That sound crazy to me. 100 days of non-stop David.

At this point it's hard to even remember what it was like 101 days ago. You never really realize how carefree life is before kids until after you have one I suppose. Not that I'm complaining.

I'm the type of person that takes some time to "warm up" to things. While I was completely ready and totally excited to be a mom, I didn't quite know how to deal with it at first. I was a constant mess of worry, frustration, confusion and "oh my God, I'm doing it wrong-dom". Now, 100 days later I feel much more comfortable in this new role. I know David so well right now and I can tell what he likes and what he doesn't like. I know what his cries mean. I know when he's hungry, when he's tired and when he wants me stop hugging on him and put him down so he can play! Oh sure, most of the time I still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, but I figure that's pretty normal (and that it never goes away). It's true that I love that little baby more and more every day. I can't get enough of his smell (intoxicating!) and his cold little hands, his big ol' feet, those bright blue eyes and that messy, crazy hair. And that smile. Oh my goodness, I do anything for that smile. I stare at him constantly and can't believe how much he changes just from the time I put him down to sleep to when I get him out of the crib in the morning. He is very alert, but quiet and seems to always be taking things in. Something tells me he might take after me in that respect. Someone described him as an "old soul" and I think that about nails it. He will forever be my little baby and while I know babies don't keep, I like to think that he'll always be this sweet. I love him beyond words.

We still have lots more hundred days to go, our little family, but these first 100 I will remember forever. And ever.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Well, here we are at 3 months old. The "experts" say that this signifies the end of the "fourth trimester", meaning that babies really don't feel comfortable out in this big ol' world until then. I will say that things seem completely different than they did just a month ago. He's really getting into a somewhat predictable routine. I know he gets tired around 8-9, wakes up a couple times a night, takes a short morning nap, LONG afternoon nap and can get a bit fussy in the evenings. I also know how to make him smile and exactly how he prefers to be held (up on my shoulder, walking around. No sitting, thankyouverymuch).

He's started really enjoying his playmat. He lays there and just bats at all his toys while chatting away. Sometimes I think he's trying to roll over, but I still think we have quite a while before that actually happens. Instead he scoots himself around in a circle, which is funny! He can hold on to toys when I put them in his hand, and can grab them when they are in his lap. He's also just now starting to try to put everything in his mouth and drooling a bit, making me think some teeth might be on their way.

He's growing like a weed. Seemingly overnight all his 0-3 month clothes no longer fit. I never thought I'd be the type to get all sad about my "baby growing up" but I will admit I got a bit choked up as I folded all his little sleepers and put them in a box. He's getting so big, so fast. His head control is getting better everyday too. I got out his Bumbo seat and he sits in that for a few minutes every couple days. I think he really likes sitting up like a big boy and looking around. On the bummer side of things, he's officially grown out of his Miracle Blanket. So, swaddling has become much more of a challenge. I have a sleep sack with wings that I can swaddle him with, but if he really tries, he can get his arms out. I've tried to let him sleep with his arms out, but it is a disaster. He wants to suck his fingers but just doesn't quite have that down yet and knocks his binky out in the process, which just leads to screaming and a very sleepless night. I know I need to just let him figure it out on his own, but I'm really hoping to hold off on that for a few more weeks... We'll see. He was sleeping really nice 6-7 hour stretches, but the last week or so we've been back down to 3-4 hour stretches. Sigh. Oh well, he's still little, I'll take what I can get right now. **I wrote this post out yesterday. Last night David slept through the night for the very first time! Almost 10 full hours! Let's hope this is a new trend!**

Last week I took him to visit all my co-workers at Hallmark. He did so well! He got to meet everyone and did so well with everyone getting all up in his face. He met more people that day than he had in his whole life combined! It was so nice to see everyone though. I was even able to grab lunch in the Crown Room with some friends. I will say giving him a bottle in the middle of the cafeteria was a bit surreal though! Later today we are going to visit Zach at his work. Hopefully he does well there too.

A lot of people ask me how the dogs are doing with the baby and they are doing great! Missy is at our side 99% of the time (unless I'm trying to rock him to sleep, then she goes downstairs and barks. Every. Time.) She frequently goes and gets her toys and brings them to David. She wants him to play with her so bad! Soon enough... Ted sniffs him a lot and has started laying down next to us when we are on the floor, but still mostly prefers to spend his days sleeping on our bed or chasing squirrels outside. David is just starting to watch the dogs, but hasn't really reacted to them much more than that.